Veni, Vidi, Velcro...

Windows Server 2008 R2 – Developer Training Kit!

2009-11-09T19:06:28Z

So you attended the Launch Event(s) and wanted to learn more about R2 but never knew where to start – classic predicament! Here’s your answer: We just announced two great resources for you to get started…

New R2 Learning Center

Explore this significant Windows Server release via a self-paced training course of videos and hands-on-labs with a focus on performance, web, management, and other server solution scenarios. Learn about developing applications for “many-core” scale, enable efficient “trigger-started” services, explore new Windows PowerShell features, create integrated solutions with the File Classification Infrastructure, and build Web Platform extensions.

New R2 Developer Training Kit – Learning Center Edition

Developer Training Kit.

The kit includes self-paced hands-on-lab exercises with corresponding video resources on the new Channel9 Learning Center. Topics include:

· “Many-Core” Application Scale

· VHD and Hyper-V API’s

· Designed for Efficiency

· Extreme Web Services

· The Extensible Web Platform

-Mithun Dhar

Technorati Tags: R2,Developer Training,Developer resources

Impatient Optimists…

2009-10-28T03:38:13Z

The world’s a lot better because of people like Bill Gates. The foundation has done so much good for the world. It’s always the ‘few of us’ that change the ‘most of us’ in this world.

Watch this video and you’ll understand what I’m saying…

-Mithun Dhar

Technorati Tags: impatient optimists,optimists,gates foundation

Mouse 2.0 as we see it…

2009-10-27T20:30:50Z

Well, I’d have christened it a bit differently. I’d have perhaps called it the Mouse 3.0 or even 4.0…but here’s what WE mean by the next generation mouse.

You can read more about it here in the Research Papers that was published a few days ago: http://www.microsoft.com/appliedsciences/mouse20.mspx

The future’s more friendly!

-Mithun Dhar

Technorati Tags: mouse,microsoft mouse,mice,mouse 2.0

Windows 7 Launch – Watch it at a computer near you!

2009-10-26T06:02:18Z

Experience The New Efficiency Microsoft Launch Event Live from San Diego October 26th Virtually!
www.thenewefficiency.com/live

View and download 18 IT Professional and Developer focused live sessions from San Diego starting at 9am PDT October 26th. Focusing on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Exchange Server 2010, you can listen to Microsoft experts, download valuable resources and explore the live launch event "virtually".

Mark your calendars

Click below for more details…

Hope to see you tomorrow, virtually!

-Mithun Dhar

Technorati Tags: windows7 launch,launch events,events,win7 launch

Twitter search now on Bing!

2009-10-21T19:36:01Z

Click on the image above for more information.

http://bing.com/twitter

-Mithun Dhar

Technorati Tags: twitter search,bing twitter,twitter,search on twitter

Interact 1st year anniversary! Come celebrate with us…

2009-10-21T07:32:09Z

Interact is turning 1 year today! And, this user group is celebrating it in style. They have a Adobe vs Microsoft smack down. Well, to be more specific,

This month Ryan Stewart from Adobe and Adam Kinney from Microsoft are taking on ‘Designer and Developer Workflow’ Here’s an excerpt:

Designer and Developer Workflow

Is it a myth? Marketing lingo? Or could it be real with the help of powerful tools?

Listen in as Ryan Stewart from Adobe and Adam Kinney from Microsoft discuss the workflow concept from their respective point of views. Ryan will demonstrate how Flash Catalyst works within the Flash Platform development cycle. Adam will show how Expression Blend fits into the Silverlight development workflow

I’ll be there. Come join us…

Venue/Time/Etc…

WHEN
Date: Wednesday, Oct 21th, 2009
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm PAC
WHERE
Bellevue Place
10500 NE 8th St.
Bellevue, WA 98004

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&where1=10500%20NE%208th%20St%2C%20Bellevue%2C%20WA%2098004-4345&encType=1

Cost
Attendence: Free.
Parking: Free.

Come join the fun! :)

-Mithun Dhar

Technorati Tags: interact,interact seattle,designers,developers,user group

Visual Studio 2010 & .NET 4 Framework Beta-2 Announced, Launching on March 22nd 2010…

2009-10-19T17:14:27Z

Not all Mondays wake me with a smile. However, today I woke up knowing that I’ll be able to download and play with Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2. Developers subscribing to MSDN can fully experience the Beta2 and .NET 4 for themselves by visiting MSDN To download it. The rest of you should subscribe to MSDN sooner to get premium access or wait till October 21st where you can download it from Microsoft Downloads.

The following Visual Studio 2010 SKU’s are available: Professional, Premium, Ultimate, Test Essentials, Team Foundation Server, and Team Lab Management. The Key New SKU’s in this release are:

· Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate with MSDN: the comprehensive suite of application lifecycle management tools for software teams to ensure quality results from design to deployment.

· Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Premium with MSDN: a complete toolset for developers to deliver scalable, high quality applications.

· Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Professional with MSDN: the essential tool for professional development tasks to assist developers in implementing their ideas easily. (Note: Visual Studio 2010 Professional will also be available without MSDN subscription)

For more information on the new packaging, licensing, and pricing of Visual Studio 2010 and MSDN, see Visual Studio.

Download: Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 Beta

‘What’s new’ Feature walk through:

Here’s a really good walkthrough of ‘What’s new’ in Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework Beta 2: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/dd441784.aspx

Finally, Here’s a Channel 9 Video that talks about downloading and installing Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2:

10-4 Episode 33: Downloading and Installing Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2

(If you don’t already follow, here’s 10-4’s home on Channel 9: http://channel9.msdn.com/shows/10-4/)

The actual launch date of VS2010 is scheduled for March 22nd 2010. Beta 2 is a significant progress as we inch closer to the launch.

-Mithun Dhar

Technorati Tags: visual studio 2010 beta 2,vs2010 beta 2,.NET 4 framework beta 2,.net 4 beta 2

Windows 7 Launch Presentations…

2009-10-15T08:23:12Z

Thank you everyone for attending the Windows 7 launch events in Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. As promised, here are the slides from the presentations, demos, demo code, demo snippets, demo notes to follow soon.

Session 1 – Taskbar and Jumplist – Windows 7

Jumplist & Taskbar - Session 1 Win7 Launch

View more presentations from mithund.

Session 1b – Trigger Start Services, Troubleshooting Platform, Libraries

Taking_Your-Application_To_The_Next_Level - Windows 7

View more presentations from mithund.

Sessions 2 – Sensor and Location Platform

Beyond_Human_Interaction - Sensor and Location Platform

View more presentations from mithund.

Session 3 – Multi-touch and Ribbon

Building_The_Next-Generation_UI - Multitouch and Ribbon

View more presentations from mithund.

I had an absolute blast doing these events. I hope you enjoyed it too! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

-Mithun Dhar

Technorati Tags: windows 7 launch,launch presentations,windows launch,win7 launch presentations,win 7 launch,launch,windows 7 launch slides,windows slides,launch slides,content

Live Essentials: Movie Maker? Do you have it already!

2009-10-14T03:13:25Z

I Love the new Windows Live Movie Maker. If you already haven’t tried it: http://download.live.com/moviemaker (And, it ain’t gonna cost you a cent! It’s FREE!)

Technorati Tags: live movie maker,windows movie maker,live essential,microsoft movie maker,movie maker

-Mithun Dhar

Make your own Ringtone in Windows 7….

2009-10-13T21:43:22Z

I can’t tell you how refreshing, crisp and nice Windows 7 is. The Windows team blog put out this great post today about another cool hidden gem in Windows 7. Ringtone Editor! Watch the video below to see how easy it is to make a custom Ringtone for your mobile phone. This feature is available in all flavors of Windows 7.

Click the image below to learn more about the Ringtone Editor in Windows 7.

More information: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Create-and-assign-a-ringtone-for-your-mobile-phone-using-Device-Stage

-Mithun Dhar

Technorati Tags: ringtone editor,windows7 ringtone editor,ringtone,windows7

Exchange Server 2010 – Webcasts to help you get started…

2009-10-13T05:43:02Z

Last week Exchange 2010 was Released to Manufacturing! So for developers it is high time to get ready for this exciting release :) Exchange 2010 has some important API changes and it’s important that you understand them. Channel 9 just released a videocast series about these changes and it also includes some of the cool new Exchange Web Services Managed API 1.0.

Here is the link for you to get started: http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/cmayo/Exchange-2010-and-Exchange-Web-Services-Whats-New-Webcasts/
If you haven’t already started upgrading your applications to Exchange Web Services now is a good time as several older Exchange API’s like WebDav, Store Events, CDO 3.0 and the Exchange OLE DB Provider will be depricated.

In order to help you prepare for these changes, the Exchange Platform team will conduct a series of Level 400 webcasts. Please sign up to view these webcasts:

10/13/2009 08:00 AM Pacific - Migrating Applications to Exchange Web Services

10/14/2009 08:00 AM Pacific - A Deep Dive into Using Autodiscover Service in Exchange Web Services

10/15/2009 08:00 AM Pacific - A Deep Dive into Impersonation and Delegation in Exchange Web Services

10/20/2009 08:00 AM Pacific - A Deep Dive into Exchange Web Services Notifications (Push/Pull)

10/21/2009 08:00 AM Pacific - A Deep Dive into the Exchange Web Services Managed API

10/22/2009 08:00 AM Pacific - Best Practices for Building Scalable Exchange Server Applications

If you have any specific questions, be sure to send em my way.

-Mithun Dhar

Technorati Tags: exchange,exchange 2010,exchange server 2010,exchange server webcasts

The Notepad Bug – But Why?

2009-10-08T22:27:26Z

The ‘But why’ series on channel 9 is entertaining, addictive and fun :)

Here’s a cool one, that we all knew about but didn’t know, Why! Oh, and before you try it out – make sure you are on XP or older. (This bug is fixed in Vista and Win7, watch the video to learn ‘how’)

-Mithun Dhar

Technorati Tags: but why,ch9 but why,notepad bug

Silverlight-3 FireStarter Recordings – Download NOW!

2009-10-07T01:18:56Z

Finally, we have the downloadable files for the Silverlight-3 FireStarter event that we had a couple weeks ago. There are two formats: The large files or the podcast format for your Zunes or other portable players.

Silverlight-3 FireStarter Download Links:

Session Titles	Speaker	Large Download	Podcast Download
Kickoff	Mithun Dhar & Mark Hindsbo	Download	Download
Keynote	Scott Guthrie	Download	Download
Silverlight Key Scenarios & Features	Tim Heuer	Download	Download
Expression 3 Overview	Adam Kinney	Download	Download
Sketch Flow	Janete Perez	Download	Download
Toolkit & Controls	Marco Matos	Download	Download
RIA Services	Brad Abrams	Download	Download
XAML Power Toys	Karl Shifflett	Download	Download
Q & A Panel		Download	Download

Also, the slides were already published via Slideshare.net and it can be accessed from my earlier blog post.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

-Mithun Dhar

Free copy of Windows 7…

2009-10-06T01:34:30Z

As you know our Windows 7 launch events are sold out but hey, what’s the use of reading and following a Developer Evangelist’s blog if he can’t even help you get a Free Copy of Windows 7, right? :)

Here’s some special lovin for all you fellow readers and bloggers. Register to attend the ‘Sold Out’ events with this special access, limited code and you will be ensured to get-in. Once in, we’ll be providing you with a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate. Of course, you’ll want to sit through and listen to what’s new and cool in Windows 7. We have multiple sessions for you to chose from…suit your fancy! So, don’t miss the chance to pick up a free copy of Windows 7 at one of our launch events coming to a city near you. We’ve secured some additional spots in each city and the first 50 to sign up in each locale will get to see great technical sessions (including some delivered by me!) as well be among the first to receive a copy of Windows 7. Just sign up at the appropriate link below and we hope to see you at the launch.

And a special note for all your Seattle-ites, We have Jeffrey Richter speaking at this event. You sure don’t want to miss that!

*Date*	*City*	*Registration*	*VVIP Code*
12 – Oct - 09	Seattle	https://microsoft.crgevents.com/TheNewEfficiency/TechnicalBriefings_Seattle/Default.aspx	DPE
14 – Oct - 09	Portland	https://microsoft.crgevents.com/TheNewEfficiency/TechnicalBriefings_Portland/Default.aspx	DPE
20 – Oct - 09	San Francisco	https://microsoft.crgevents.com/TheNewEfficiency/TechnicalBriefings_SanFrancisco/Default.aspx	DPE
26 – Oct - 09	San Diego	https://microsoft.crgevents.com/TheNewEfficiency/TechnicalBriefings_SanDiego/Default.aspx	DPE
26 – Oct - 09	Orange County	https://microsoft.crgevents.com/TheNewEfficiency/TechnicalBriefings_OrangeCounty/Default.aspx	DPE
28 – Oct - 09	Los Angeles (Burbank)	https://microsoft.crgevents.com/TheNewEfficiency/TechnicalBriefings_LosAngeles/Default.aspx	DPE

Go here for a detailed Agenda and other information: http://www.microsoft.com/business/thenewefficiency/

See you next week!

-Mithun Dhar

Technorati Tags: Windows7,win7 launch,win 7 launch party,windows launch

Is Your Organization Ready for Windows 7?

2009-10-05T23:13:19Z

Event Details

Featured Speaker: Independent Analyst Firm Forrester’s Benjamin Gray

October 6, 2009

12:00 PM Eastern / 9:00 a.m. Pacific (60 minutes)

Register Today!

Forrester's Benjamin Gray discusses his April 2009 report "Get Ready For Windows 7" and whether or not your organization should deploy Windows 7 now or test applications and hardware against Windows Vista for greater compatibility with Windows 7. He'll also share:

· What he believes to be the top five Windows 7 features

· Industry benchmarks on what other North American and European enterprises are planning

· His recommendations for customers running Windows XP or Windows Vista

Register for the Live Webcast on October 6, 2009. Prepare for the future by learning how to optimize your desktop infrastructure with Windows 7 while maximizing your existing technology investments. Attend this webcast to see how Windows 7 can benefit your organization with powerful technologies that help you secure, officially manage, and lower the cost of your organization's desktop infrastructure.

About Benjamin Gray:

Benjamin serves IT Infrastructure & Operations professionals. He is a leading expert on business-class PCs and desktop operating systems and also researches business-class mobile devices, mobile operating systems, and mobile device management solutions. Benjamin helps

Forrester clients develop and improve their strategy around client hardware and client operating systems. Benjamin's research and analysis have been widely cited in the press, including business media outlets such as The Associated Press, Bloomberg, The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal and industry media outlets such as Computerworld, eWeek, InformationWeek, InfoWorld, and NetworkWorld.

-Mithun Dhar

Technorati Tags: windows 7,win7 analysts review